MPs on all sides call for action on nitazenes after Big Issue exposes Britain's drug deaths crisis

MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have called for urgent action after Big Issue’s investigation into the stark human toll of nitazenes, a powerful synthetic opioid claiming lives in the UK.

Politicians from across the spectrum said the time had come for the government to go further in fighting the crisis, urging greater access to treatment, education, and life-saving drugs – as well as a rethink on prohibition.

Found in contaminated heroin, valium, and more, nitazenes have been linked to 284 deaths in the UK. So far, Big Issue’s investigation has uncovered the story of 21 deaths in Birmingham – and found that, nationwide, paramedics’ use of a life-saving drug used to combat opioid overdoses has increased by 50%.

Read more of the Big Issue’s investigation into the human toll of the UK’s synthetic opioid crisis:

• The inside story of nitazenes and the drug deaths crisis rocking Britain: ‘No one is talking about it’
• Nitazenes: Use of life-saving overdose drug surges by 50% amid synthetic opioid crisis

“The horrifying increase in deaths from nitazene overdose is a preventable tragedy. We need both effective warning systems and safe spaces for drug users to go where they can take drugs while being observed by medical professionals,” Carla Denyer, leader of the Green Party, told Big Issue in the wake of our reporting.

“The advent of nitazenes, much like the advent of crack cocaine and skunk cannabis, is a product of the prohibition of drugs. Prohibiting drugs does’t remove the demand for them, it makes the suppliers seek more potent versions of those drugs, which are easier to smuggle. Nitazenes are the latest example of this.”

As a Taliban crackdown on opium production reduces the heroin supply, dealers are adulterating their product with nitazenes, thought to be manufactured in underground labs in China.

Many of those losing their lives are experiencing homelessness. Yet, as new official statistics show drug deaths in the UK reached the highest level since records began, experts warn the true toll of the synthetic opioids crisis is not understood.

“Deadly synthetic opioids pose a significant threat to our city, especially for our most vulnerable residents. It’s heartbreaking to hear of the multiple deaths in Birmingham last summer that were linked to nitazenes,” Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston told Big Issue, calling for greater education on the dangers of nitazenes.

Helen Morgan MP, the Lib Dems’ spokesperson on health, said the new government must make naloxone available to all police officers, tackle drug gangs and improve addiction support. “These drugs are incredibly dangerous and we support all measures that will take them off the street. Harmful opioids such as these must be outlawed as a matter of priority,” Morgan told Big Issue.

Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, who represents Sutton Coldfield, said frontline services must be given comprehensive training and funding to deal with the crisis – and that naloxone should be made available in public spaces.

“The tragic loss of 21 lives in our city due to nitazenes last summer is a stark reminder of the serious challenges we face with synthetic opioids,” Mitchell said. “While the previous government made progress by classifying 14 types of nitazenes as class A drugs and establishing a synthetic opioids taskforce, we must go further.”

Investment in community outreach and addiction services should be increased, said Mitchell, adding: “Tackling the root causes of addiction and misuse requires a coordinated, compassionate, and long-term approach. Moving forward, we must seize this opportunity to ensure that future tragedies are prevented and that the most vulnerable in our society are protected.”

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